CHRISTOPHER MARSHBURN

Chris was born in Raleigh, North Carolina and grew up in Central Florida. He is a graduate of Davidson College and the Vanderbilt University School of Law. Chris enjoyed a long and successful legal career in Memphis, Tennessee, first as an assistant district attorney and then doing personal injury defense litigation as staff counsel for two insurance companies. Chris has a son and daughter both in Memphis of which he is very proud as well as a new granddaughter. Though busy with work and family Chris has been an avid hiker and backpacker most of his life, and he has been fortunate to enjoy many of the great outdoors spaces in this country, including long sections of the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, New England and the Great Smoky Mountains. Recently Chris made the decision to take a break from the practice of law and pursue opportunities in outdoor stewardship, a long-held passion. In 2022 Chris served as a backcountry caretaker for the Appalachian Mountain Company in the White National Forest, and was responsible for one of the busiest campsites along the Appalachian Trail. Chris has earned certifications in wilderness first aid and as a Leave No Trace Trainer, and recently became a member of the Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. Chris is thrilled to be serving as the long season Ridgerunner in GSMNP.